My last post was about Mary Roach's terrific Packing for Mars, and in it I promised to give away a book signed by an Apollo astronaut. Today's a good day to do that. So...
Somehow I ended up with two copies of Jim Lovell's book Apollo 13, written with Jeffrey Kluger (formerly titled Lost Moon). And somehow they're both signed by Jim Lovell, the Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13 astronaut.
(OK, those "somehow"s are disingenuous. I found a used copy years ago and without knowing it was signed I bought it immediately. Thrilling! And then just a couple of weeks ago I found another, and it too was signed, and I couldn't resist buying it again. But I don't need two as much as one of you need one...)
If you've seen the movie, you know a lot of the story, and if you're reading this blog, you probably want to know even more. And would probably like a signed copy, too. So here you go.
To enter, do one or more of the following things:
Somehow I ended up with two copies of Jim Lovell's book Apollo 13, written with Jeffrey Kluger (formerly titled Lost Moon). And somehow they're both signed by Jim Lovell, the Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13 astronaut.
(OK, those "somehow"s are disingenuous. I found a used copy years ago and without knowing it was signed I bought it immediately. Thrilling! And then just a couple of weeks ago I found another, and it too was signed, and I couldn't resist buying it again. But I don't need two as much as one of you need one...)
If you've seen the movie, you know a lot of the story, and if you're reading this blog, you probably want to know even more. And would probably like a signed copy, too. So here you go.
To enter, do one or more of the following things:- Leave a comment on this blog post (you only need to do that once -- duplicates won't count -- and if you see this via Facebook, please head over to the blog proper).
- Buy one of my books through the G. T. Labs site (as many as you like, and duplicates do count).
- Send me a message or postcard or letter (contact information is available at the site, at the "About" link on the upper right of the blog, or you can get in touch via Facebook too) that convinces me that you bought one of my books elsewhere. The evidence could be a copy of a receipt, a plausible and entertaining story, the 16th word on the 11th page, ... use your imagination!
Great contest Jim. I agree with you that Mary Roach's book was fantastic.
Throwing my name into the hat!
While I'm at it, how's Lovell to read? I've recently finished Carrying the Fire, and Collins sets the bar awfully high...
Throwing my name in the hopper!
Thanks, Jim & Happy Birthday!
Dear Jim,
I'm a big geek and winning this book would make me happier than a five whole pounds of garden-fresh snow peas. Which is saying something.
Hugs, hope, and hilarity,
Emily
Rachel: Michael Collins does set the bar very high! (His is still my favorite astronaut autobiography.) In my opinion "Lost Moon" isn't as good, but few things are. It's still a great story, though, and it's still Jim Lovell who, if you've ever seen him interviewed (I recommend the movie "In the Shadow of the Moon"), is a great storyteller.
Great book, cool contest, Jim. inspired to check out packing for mars....
best,
Nick
Woo hoo! What a joy it must be to give away such a wonderful book. I just bought another Apollo item to give away at Christmas and it delights me no end to share the history. Thanks!
Does it count if I bought your books for my library? Or do I have to have bought them for me?
http://clio.cul.columbia.edu:7018/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=6538126
http://clio.cul.columbia.edu:7018/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=6859090
http://clio.cul.columbia.edu:7018/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=7285171
Hey, Jim! I'd love to win this book! And give it to my father! He absolutely loved the copy of T-Minus I bought him for father's day.
I have indeed bought T-Minus from you, and Bone Sharps, Cowboys & Thunderlizards. I hope you believe me since I bought them from you in person. :)
Hi Jim.
cool competition,I will throw my hat in,
always like reading your brand of science and always look forward to your new books,
all the best,
Tony Solomun
Hi Jim! I'll hop into the sweepstakes as well! I'll head over to the store in the next bit too! I also bought Bone Sharps & Thunder Lizards from you (at TCAF), but I'll email you better proof than that!
Tossing my name into the hat as well -- we just rewatched the movie on DVD, and listening to the commentary by the Lovells was wonderful.
Great opportunity! Clearly, from the posts, any winner from this blog will appreciate this treasure. Still, I'd love to put it with my electronic, miniature Saturn V.
Very cool! Lost Moon is one of those books I should have gotten around to reading a long time ago.
Just sharing some love, Jim. Pushing your books at PSU but we can always buy more.
Putting my name into the Christmas Stocking as well.
Karen: I made up the rules, so I suppose it's up to me to interpret them too. And the verdict is...sure, why not? Thanks!
Jim, I'd love that book! I'm also SUPER excited that you're doing your own book about Richard Feynman. Excellent subject, and I'm sure you'll do a great job!
Hey, Jim,
I didn't see you at ComicCon this year....sorry to have missed you. I'd love a signed copy of Apollo 13. Even more, I'm looking forward to buying your next book.
By the way, my email has changed. You may be using my old email for your email list and, while that still works, it won't be around forever. How do I change it?
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Jim
Missed you at small press expo in Bethesda,where I usually buy what is new,Will have to head over to GT Labs.Also just started packing for Mars,serendipity nor because of your blog Do they charge for carry-on?
I have your teleportation poster on my wall. I'd love to add a signed copy of Apollo 13 to my collection of good stuff from GT-Labs.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I recommended GT Labs to my local bookstore. I hope they contact you. Always love your stuff Jim. Good luck with all your future endeavors.
chaz
Jim-- as an enthusiast of space, comics and popular science-- when I saw "Two-Fisted Science" staring at me from the floor rack of Hanley's (biggish comic shop in midtown Manhattan-- for you out-of-towners), I snatched it up, in fact buying two; one as a gift. I did *not* buy two of Fallout-- just one for me to linger over. Then I realized we had much of the same library! Who could resist anything else you've done?
Science should be and has been two-fisted-- back when one had to go out and force science out of the bush. Or punch out and knock down those who would keep it from you. The good old days.
Since that store trip, I have bought many GT Labs fine products and delighted in paying full price. Anything to further the cause.
Your Pal,
Eliot
Hi all, and thanks for entering. I was pleased with the interest and grateful for the kind words people had for my books.
Now that it's Dec. 1, here's what's going to happen. I will list out the entries as they came in via messages and comments on the blog, and assign numbers to each one. For example, if Buzz Aldrin was the first to respond, with just a comment or email, and Sally Ride was second and she reminded me she bought three books last year, and Alexei Leonov responded third and showed me he had purchased a copy of T-Minus that day, and then I got another entry via the blog, the list would look like this:
1 Buzz Aldrin
2-4 Sally Ride
5-17 Alexei Leonov
18 Alan Bean
and so on. Then I'll go to www.random.org and put in the total number of entries (18 in the example above) and it will spit back a number at me (11 when I just tried it, so congratulations to Alexei Leonov), and I'll contact the person who gets the book!